{"id":1241304,"date":"2026-08-16T22:15:10","date_gmt":"2026-08-16T22:15:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/de\/1241304\/"},"modified":"2026-08-16T22:15:10","modified_gmt":"2026-08-16T22:15:10","slug":"just-before-the-season-kicks-off-rb-leipzig-celebrates-the-start-of-the-2026-season-%c2%b7-leipziger-zeitung","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/de\/1241304\/","title":{"rendered":"Just before the season kicks off: RB Leipzig celebrates the start of the 2026 season \u00b7 Leipziger Zeitung"},"content":{"rendered":"

Dieser Artikel ist auch in deutscher Sprache verf\u00fcgbar: Zum deutschen Artikel<\/a>.<\/p>\n

First, roaring motorbikes flew through the air, then red and white smoke rose into the sky. Under the banner \u2018RB Leipzig Season Heat Up 2026\u2019, the Rasenballer celebrated this year\u2019s season-opening party on the festival grounds at the Sportforum. The first competitive matches are already scheduled for next weekend: the men\u2019s team face a challenge in the first round of the DFB Cup in Trier, whilst the women\u2019s team host Bayer Leverkusen in their Bundesliga opener.<\/p>\n

Before the two teams were presented to the fans on the stage at the foot of the bell tower, an old acquaintance took to the stage: Kevin Kampl had found his way back to Leipzig once again. In early January, the long-serving RB player ended his professional career following a tragic death in the family. \u201cIt took me a few months to recharge my batteries,\u201d he said on stage, \u201cbut now I\u2019m feeling that buzz again.\u201d The 35-year-old still fondly remembers his eight years in Leipzig, particularly the first cup victory in 2022. At the time, he caused a public controversy by pouring a can of Red Bull into the cup trophy.\"\"<\/p>\n

Then the current players took to the stage. \u201cWe want to challenge at the top of the Bundesliga and play attractive football,\u201d announced men\u2019s captain David Raum. However, he is also well aware: \u201cBayern are still a completely different benchmark.\u201d And, of course, after a year on the sidelines, the 28-year-old international is looking forward to exciting matches in the Champions League once again. \u201cMadrid would be a really cool destination,\u201d he said \u2013 it would also mean a reunion with former teammate Yan Diomande, who, after a long transfer saga, has now signed for the \u2018royal\u2019 Real Madrid.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>presenter Clara Mohr interviews women\u2019s head coach Jonas Stephan (RB Leipzig, centre) and Martin Demichelis (men\u2019s head coach, RB Leipzig). Photo: Jan Kaefer<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m really looking forward to it, and the lads are already raring to go,\u201d said head coach Martin Demichelis, looking ahead to the start of the competitive season. He wants the team to play intense football<\/a>, pushing forward aggressively. \u201cWe want the fans to come to the stadium and enjoy our matches,\u201d said the new manager. \u201cAt the end of the match, the feeling should be that we\u2019ve given it our all on the pitch.\u201d This coming Saturday, 22 August, this very mentality will be put to the test for the first time under \u2018real\u2019 competitive conditions. RBL will be away to Eintracht Trier, a team from the South-West Regional League, in the first round of the DFB Cup. Kick-off is at 6 pm.<\/p>\n

A day later, on Sunday 23 August, the RB women\u2019s team will also kick off their league campaign. At 4 pm on the first matchday of the Bundesliga, they will host Bayer Leverkusen\u2019s \u2018Werkselfen\u2019 at Cottaweg. Head coach Jonas Stephan had to make a few adjustments during pre-season. After all, no fewer than 15 players from last season are no longer with the squad. The task, therefore, was to integrate 13 new players into the team. Eleven of them are international signings. The club found particular success in the Netherlands \u2013 with four players \u2013 and Belgium \u2013 with three players.<\/p>\n